Compositions and methods for treating neurodegenerating diseases

Abstract

This invention provides agents, compositions, pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating or slowing the progression of a neurodegenerating disease, such as Alzheimer's disease and a demyelinating disease.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method of slowing progression of a demyelinating disease that is multiple sclerosis or Alzheimer's disease in a mammal comprising the step of administering to a mammal suffering from a demyelinating disease a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that increases noradrenaline levels in the mammal's CNS and a noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor, wherein the agent comprises a noradrenaline precursor that is (−)-threo-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-L-serine (L-DOPS) and wherein the reuptake inhibitor that is desipramine, atomoxetine, reboxetine, viloxazine, maprotiline, nortriptyline, bupropion, or radafaxine. 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the agent further comprises at least one of an LAAAD inhibitor and a COMT inhibitor. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the agent further comprises a COMT inhibitor. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the COMT inhibitor is (2E)-2-cyano-3-(3,4-dihydroxy-5-nitrophenyl)-N,N-diethylprop-2-enamide(entacapone), 3,4-dinitrocatechol (DNC) or 3-methoxy-L-tyrosine (3MT). 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the COMT inhibitor is entacapone. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the agent further comprises an LAAAD inhibitor. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the LAAAD inhibitor is carbidopa or benserazide. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the LAAAD inhibitor is carbidopa. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor is atomoxetine. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mammal is a human.